Density, flash point and heating value variations of corn oil biodiesel-diesel fuel blends

In this study, densities of produced corn oil biodiesel and its blends with commercially available petro-diesel fuel have been investigated. The effects of temperature (T) and biodiesel percentage in blend (X) on the densities of blends were examined. The blends (B5, B10, B15, B20, B50 and B75) were prepared on a volume basis and their densities were measured by following ISO test method at temperatures of 10, 15, 20, 30 and 40 ° C. New one- and two-dimensional equations were fitted to the measurements for identifying of variations of densities with respect to X and T; and these equations were compared with other equations published in literature. Moreover, the qualities of the corn oil biodiesel and its blends were evaluated by determining the other important properties such as flash point temperature and higher heating value. In order to predict these properties, some equations were also evaluated as a function of biodiesel percentage in blend.